A seroepidemiological study of human Toxocara infection in the Slovak Republic.

Sera of 908 blood donors, average age 35 years, living in towns and villages of the Slovak Republic were tested for Toxocara canis antibodies using an ELISA-IgG test. The seroprevalence in the healthy population was estimated at 13.65%. Antibodies were predominantly demonstrated in the sera from persons living in rural communities (17.09%) compared to the sera investigated from urban communities (11.82%). Women had a significantly higher seropositivity than men. The serological response in 2703 sera from patients suspected of toxocarosis was compared with their clinical manifestation, sex and age. Toxocara antibodies were found in 27.41% of suspected patients. Although the seroprevalence in adults was significantly higher among women than men, in children, boys had a higher seroprevalence than girls. The main clinical manifestations were leucocytosis and eosinophilia (46%), ocular disorders (36%), lung, liver and neurological disorders (26%). The most severe forms of this disease were observed in 2 to 5-year-old children with geophagy.

[Diagnosis of echinococcosis in the population of Slovakia]. / Problematika diagnostiky echinokokózy ludí na Slovensku.

Serologically diagnosed cases of echinococcosis in man occurring over the years 1970-1990 are reported. In the given period 292 serum samples were examined obtained from patients clinically suspected of echinococcosis, either with or without indication of localization in different organs. Of the total of 22 serologically positive patients echinococcal cysts were found in the liver in 17 patients (77.27%), in the lungs in three (13.63%) and in two patients the localization was not established. The patients with positive serological finding were within the age range of 33 to 68 years, with the exception of one 11-year-old boy. The value of serological examination of echinococcosis in the subjects involved in our study is highlighted by the findings in those patients who underwent surgery. Both the positive and the negative serological results were confirmed by the surgical findings of the presence or absence of echinococcus. (Tab. 3, Ref. 22.)

[Serodiagnosis of larval toxocariasis in Slovakia]. / Sérodiagnostika larválnej toxokarózy na Slovensku.

The results of serological examinations performed over the years 1986 to 1990 in patients suspected of larval toxocariasis, coming from different Institutes of National Health in Slovakia, are reported. Seropositivity was within the range from 9.38 to 23.56%. The five-year average was 17.72%, with a predominance of seropositivity in the country. Age-related analysis of the series of patients did not show any significant difference of seropositivity in children and adults (18.00 and 17.21% respectively). Higher seropositivity rates were found in boys (20.73%) compared to girls (14.69%). This was found to be reversed in adults, where women had higher seropositivity rates than men (20.61 and 12.08% respectively). The ocular for of larval toxocariasis showed a higher prevalence in adults. (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 18.)

Experimental Trichinella spiralis infection in sheep.

During susceptibility studies of non-specific hosts, three merino sheep were infected with 3000, 5000 or 7000 Trichinella spiralis larvae by gavage. Clinical, physiological and serological parameters were assessed during the experiment. On the 152nd day p.i., animals were necropsied and, using artificial digestion methods, numbers of Trichinella larvae in muscle tissues were determined. The most infected parts were masseters with 3122 larvae g-1 muscle, 5526 larvae g-1 muscle and 4058 larvae g-1 muscle and diaphragms with 2778 larvae g-1 muscle, 2725 larvae g-1 muscle and 2320 larvae g-1 muscle, for the 3000, 5000 and 7000 infection levels, respectively. A positive correlation between infective rate and circulating antibodies was observed using ELISA and latex agglutination (LA) test methods. Trichinella larvae from sheep applied by gavage to ICR mice developed to the muscle stage. No significant changes were found in the clinical and physiological parameters of infected animals. Our results confirm the high susceptibility of merino sheep to T. spiralis infection.

[Helminthozoonoses in Slovakia 1981-1987]. / Helmintozoonózy na Slovensku v rokoch 1981-1987.

The incidence of helminthozoonoses in the Slovak Socialist Republic over the years 1981--1987 was assessed on the basis of reports submitted by health and veterinary organizations. The incidence of taeniases exhibited a decreasing trend over the period studied. The occurrence rate of cysticercosis in slaughter cattle was irregularly increasing from 0.65% to 0.90%. Echinococcosis in humans was established only sporadically (4 cases). In animals its extensity was decreasing and dropped to 0.22% in slaughter pigs and to 0.70% in sheep and goats. Trichinosis showed an endemic occurrence (13 cases). Larval toxocariasis increased from 6 to 129 seropositive cases. Hymenolepiasis was diagnosed only in the East Slovakian Region (0.06 to 1.46 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). (Fig. 5, Ref. 3.)